Calzone
AI-generated illustration
A calzone is a folded Italian pizza, essentially a half-moon shaped turnover made from pizza dough. It is typically stuffed with a combination of cheeses like mozzarella and ricotta, along with meats such as salami or ham, and vegetables, then baked until golden. Originating in Naples, Italy, it was designed as a portable, hand-held meal for workers.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
A standard calzone is high in carbohydrates from the dough and fat from the cheese and any meats, making it a calorie-dense meal. It provides a good amount of protein from the cheese and fillings, with a typical serving ranging from 800 to over 1,200 calories depending on size and ingredients.
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, the calzone is the original 'pizza pocket,' invented for portability long before fast-food versions existed. Nutritionally, its sealed nature creates a steamed interior that melts the fillings into a cohesive, gooey mixture, differentiating it from the open-faced experience of a standard pizza.